When will I know it's real labor?

[Lea2001]

I have been having what has been called braxton hicks contractions for the last few months.  They have increased in frequency alot since Christmas.    In fact Monday, we went to hospital because they were every 3 minutes apart, but I was no dialated at all... NOTHING!   I felt nutty, but the monitor showed the contractions occurring.

Anyway, they told me baby is VERY low.   I cannot sit down without halfway lying on my back... there is too much pressure on my tailbone and pelvis if I try to sit normal.

Anyway, I have been having contractions non- stop for days now.   I have to say they are not extremely painful.. some hurt, but most are just uncomfortable.  

WHEN WILL I KNOW IF THE CONTRACTIONS ARE FOR REAL?  I am 38 1/2 weeks along.  

The Dr. at the hospital said wait for them to be really painful for over 2 hours before coming in.   I live an hour away from the hospital... i don't want to give birth to this child on the highway!   I don't trust that opinion... I know that's wrong, but I don't trust that.   What do labor contractions really feel like?   I don't want to wait for the contraction to be extemely painful for TWO hours before even deciding to go the hospital.   Baby is very low so I feel good about that, but how I really know?  

Please don't tell me, "oh you'll know"... I know that sounds bad, but I obvioulsy didn't know and that's why I went to hospital Monday.  I already thought I was in labor.  What do loabor contractions really feel like?

[njeosys]

Sure! IT doesn't always send you into labor. Doesn't hurt to ask. They might do it!!!

[Lea2001]

Do you think they will strip the membranes even though I will be just shy of 39 weeks at my next appointment?  I was considering asking them to do that at my appointment Friday.

[njeosys]

The first time around I felt very different than usual. I was hunched over and I felt like there was a watermelon between my thighs. I had a perfect pregnancy, no pain, a little nausea, that was it. So I knew immediately that something was going to happen just based on that. But I called the doc ahead of time and told her what I was feeling. I didn't feel contractions! I couldn't tell when I was having one until after my water was broken the next morning (it was very late at night at this point).

The second labor was much different than the first. I had been experiencing contractions sporadically and kept a written record of when I'd have them, how long, how far apart... When the contractions were so painful that I was doubled over and couldn't catch my breath is when I went in.

They had to give me something to help me along. First time they gave me a shot of morphine as it is supposed to jumpstart contractions or stop false labor. Second time they just let me stay at the hospital and be monitored me for hours, finally breaking my water (once that happens, you won't leave!).

Each time I was dilated to 3cm for weeks and effaced all the way. Ask your doc to strip your membranes because they should jumpstart your contractions.

[Lea2001]

The strange thing is I lost the mucus plug last weekend before Christmas.  That's why I am so freakin confused.

I am also concerned I WON'T know... I guess the main issue is because I have a severe case of endometriosis.   I was told for the last 16 years to "deal with it" because it was never diagnosed.   It wasn't until we had a difficult time getting pregnant that I insisted on having the exploratory surgery to look for it and ... guess what... I had a severe case.   The surgeon said it was severe and that I must have high threshold for pain because I dealt with the pain for so long unnecessarily.  The surgery could not remove it all so they said to watch that I not "overlook" or "ignore" pain like I had been doing with my cycles.  I felt that I had to because no one else complained about cramps and missed work and school like I did.   I developed techniques to deal with pain.

Now I'm concerned I will be gunshy about going to the hospital for fear of another false alarm.   I hope the contractions DO double me over (that's just plain nutty... ).  

I really appreciate everyone's input, but I really enjoy reading others' expierences to give be a good basis for comparison.   Please continue to tell me about YOUR experiences.. I really appreciate your input!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

For me, it was either my water breaking or leaking water and then contractions starting.  My labors tend to progress pretty fast.  Braxton hicks will generally go away after you rest awhile, real contractions won't.  But like the others said....you'll know!!!   You're body will tell you.  Both of my normal labors...the baby didn't drop until right before delivery.  

[sam75]

you will know! ouch.

[adawning4]

I lost my plug 9 days before my daughter even dropped!!! However I had her 2 days after she dropped...... She was a very easy labor and delivery! Painful as I opted no epidural until her head was coming out.... But other than that I was only in labor for 12 hrs and 5 minutes.... 2hrs hard pushing!!!! Good luck to you

[lmrsoldier]

Wow, I guess I was lucky!!!  My doc told me with both my kids that it shouldn't take much longer than 24 hours after the plug comes out, so I apologize, as she might have been talking about personal experiences or my situation....and ever since I guess I've been under that impression!!!

[adawning4]

If you are having real labor contractions they will be painful and you will not be able to talk or walk even. They dont normally start of really really painful. But what you felt with Braxton Hicks is nothing. I had them with my daughter. But when I went into labor I knew they were different. I was lying on my side in bed and had this pain that woke me and made me curl up like a baby. So I went to the bathroom to see if I had any water or blood there was nothing, but I could not walk with a contraction. I was told by my doctor to take a warm bath and relax to see if they went away. If they dont go away and stay at every 5 minutes then you are in labor. Its very easy to mistake fake contractions for the real thing when you havent felt the real thing. But its true that you will know the difference. When you first start real labor unless your waters broke then you have time to make it to the hospital..... Dont rush, have your bags ready and either by the door or in the car. so you dont forget anything. You should try to eat if you feel hungry, they will only give you ice chips while in labor...... You will have time so drive safely and stay calm...... You will be fine!

Best wishes to you and your baby! Hope I have helped....

[kcs08]

I lost my plug 5 days before my DD was born.  My friend lost hers 2 weeks before she gave birth...I agree, they will bend you over.

[lmrsoldier]

It's normal to go to the hospital a couple times because of braxton hicks.....I had them bad with my first one, and didn't sleep very well for weeks before he was born. You need to watch for your mucous plug, it will be a thick discharge, off-whitish with blood in it, not anything to worry about when you do see it, it's not bad. But that's the part that will come out when your cervix starts to open, then you will know the pains are for real. Once this comes out, you can fully dilate from that time to 24 hours, so you will need to let your doctor know, and if you are an hour away from the hospital, then when your pains are unbearable, head out after an hour. I know it sounds silly, but it's the truth. I was lucky and was starting to dilate an hour after my plug came out, so you never know.....Good luck to you, and congrats on your soon-to-be baby!!!!
Oh, and the pains are ten times worse than period cramps, and will double you over. That's what mine were like, and they made my stomach extremely tight, and my back hurt real bad....

[kcs08]

BUT YOU WILL KNOW!!!!
For me, each contraction took my breath away!  I couldn't talk through any of them.  It felt as though I was going to die!  It was a stabbing pain in my abdomen.  I had lots of BH too but this was 100 times worse.  I COULDNT breathe!!!